Closure member for containers



March 16 1926.

H. ELLIS I CLOSURE MEMBER FOR CONTAINERS Fil ed March 16 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. .flarZZe y 6/116.

March 16 1926. 1,576,580

H. ELLIS CLOSURE MEMBER FOR CONTAINERS Filed March 16 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill.

VIIIIIIIIIIIIIII an.

IN V EN TOR.

Q Oww ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 16, 1926.

HARTLEY ELLIS, 01F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

CLOSURE MEMBER FOR CONTAINERS.

Application 'filed March 16, 1925. Serial No. 15,784.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARTLEY ELLIS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Closure Members for Containers, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The present invention relates to removable closures for barrels or containers and more particularly to a closure adapted for use with steel barrels or metal drums of the type commonly in use for shipping grease, paint, roofing cement and like products where it'is necessary to obtain a tight seal between the closure and the head and yet one which may easily be removed and replaced.

In the present invention, provision is made for removably closing an aperture in the head of a drum in such a manner that it can not easily come open and yet in such a way that it can easily be opened when it is desired to obtain the contents of the container. Another feature of the invention is the provision of a closure in which packing material may be of such shape as to completely cover the entire closure device so that the material in the container can not seep through and glue or stick the closure member to the barrel head. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a metal container showing the closure member applied in its locking position; Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the locking ring which is applied to the barrel head around the central opening; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the closure member; Fig.4 is a sectional view through the locking means on the closure member and the barrel head taken on the line 4et of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 4; but taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1,

6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1 showing the arrangement of parts in enlarged section Fig. 7 1s a sectional view similar to Fig. 6 but showing a modified form ofthe device, and Figs. 8 and 9 are other sectional views similar to Figs. 6 and 7 but showing modified forms.

As illustrated, the present deviceconsists of a metal container 1 having the usual metal head 2 which is rolled onto the edge of the container with a leak-proof seam 3, this head having a drop 4 adjacent to and as a part of the seam 3 and then an annular flat portion 5, a second drop or shoulder 6, a second flat portion 7, another drop or shoulder 8 and a third flat portion or ring 9 terminating in an inturned flange 10 around the central opening 11 as best shown in Fig. 6, the flange 10 being of slightly less diameter at the bottom than at the top. It is of course understood that any suitable type of barrel or container may be used, whether metal or otherwise, it being only necessary to provide the head portion having a central opening with an inturned flange and the two adjacent flat portions to which the closure means may be attached.

Around the central opening 11 is mounted a locking ring 12 which is adapted to be welded or otherwise permanently secured to the flat portion 5 of the head so that it is spaced out from the inturned head flange.

This locking ring is provided with a series of spaced inwardly extending locking lugs 13 which extend inwardly over the flat portion 7 and above the plane of the same and the forward or entering edge 14: of each lug is bent upwardly so as to provide for the easy entrance of the lugs on the closure member and each lug is also provided with two radially extending grooves on its upper surface which form downwardly bent cam members or ribs 15' and 16 on the lugs, the second groove being deeper than the first groove so as to obtain an increased depth to the bottom of the rib 16. In order to stifien the locking lugs 13, a center rib 20 is formed therein, the rib. extending upwardly at approximately the center of each lug and being formed across the full radial width of the ring.

The closure member consists ofa cylin- Fig. 6, the taper of the flange 10 allowing the center portion 18 to be forced tight into final position. Around the outer ring 17 there are a series of locking lugs 19 which are spaced similarly to the lugs on the locking ring and are of such length as to be insertable between the lugs 13. The closure member lugs 19 are adapted to fit between the lugs 13 and then the closure is turned or rotated to bring the closure lugs 19 under the lugs 13 and firmly against and under the ribs 15 and 16 which cams the closure lugs downwardly so as to force the closure member tightly against the barrel head. The entering edges 21 of the closure lugs 19 are turned down to facilitate this movement under the upturned ends 14 of the locking ring lugs 13. To obtain a better seal between the annular ring of the closure member and the barrel head, a packing washer 22 of felt, paper, rubber, or other suitable material is placed onzthe flat portion 9 of the head and is thus held against outward movement by the shoulder 8 between the that portions 7 and 9.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7, the device has been particularly adapted for use with containers holding a sticky or cementitious material of the type which is adapted to squeeze up between the depressed portion of the closure member and the inturned flange at the barrel head and then dry to form a sticky sealing film between the two adjacent portions. With this type of material, it is almost impossible to rotate the closure member in order to open the same and in order to overcome this difliculty, the barrel head is made with the shoulder 28 and ring 29 as shown in Fig. 7, which are similar to the ring 9 and shoulder 8 of the previously described form, the inturned flange 30 being rounded at its point 31 of turning and spaced a definite distance from the depressed portion of the closure member so as to leave an opening therebetween. In this closure, the packing washer 22 is used and a packing member 32 consisting of a cup or disk of non-absorbent material such as oiled or waxed paper adapted to fit over the depressed portion of the closure member and provided with an annular flat portion 33 at the top which fits over the washer 22 in the depressed portion 29 of the barrel head. In this way, the entire closure member is sealed from the material in the container and even if the material sticks the packing member 32 to the barrel head, it can not stick the closure member to the packing ring nor to the barrel head and therefore the closure member is easily removed when it is desired to open the drum. If the'pa'cking member or cup is stuck fastto the barrel head, it is only necessary to cut out the bottom portion of the disk and to remove the same when the contents are to amasco be used. When this is done, it still leaves the packing washer 22 mounted in the de-.

pressed portion of the barrel head so that the drum may be rescaled if desired.

In Fig. 8 a slightly different form of the device is shown, the fiat portion 35 of the barrel head having a single depressed portion 36 terminating in the tapered inturned flange 37, and in this form the locking ring 12 has its lugs 13 overlying the outer portion of the depressed portion 36 of the head while the packingwasher 22 is mounted on the inner portion of the ring 36- adjacent the central opening.

The construction shown in Fig. 9 is similar in general to the other forms but the head is formed with only a single drop 48 and flat ring 49 adjacent the inturned flange and the locking ring 50 has a flat portion 51 and the lugs 52 are offset upwardly so as to be spaced away from the main flat portion 53 of the head. llhe packing washer 22 seats on the ring 49 and the closure member rests on the washer with its lugs 19 extending between the main fiat portion 53 and the lugs 52 on the locking ring.

In order to facilitate the insertion and removal of the closure member, it is provided with one or more loop members 60 mounted on the recessed portion and rigidly secured thereto by riveting or welding, and a bar or the like may be inserted through the loops to turn the closure member. In order to prevent accidental rotation and removal of the closure member, one or more of the lugs 19 on the closure member are provided with radially formed upwardly extending ribs or projections 61 as best shown in Fig. 5 which in the closed osition of the container are adapted to lie etween the two downwardly extending cam portions 15 and 16 on the complementary lug on the locking ring and thus when it is desired to remove the closure member, this upwardly extending lug must be forced out underneath one of the downward projections 15 on the ring lugs and while there is sufficient resiliency in the two sets of lugs to allow this to be done, accidental movement is substantially eliminated.

The present container closure is particu larly adapted for metal drums containing greases or even lighter liquids, where a tight closure is necessary and yet where the expense of high priced drums and closure devices is a prohibitive factor. The present closure and barrel head construction can be readily applied to existing t pes of drums and it is to be noted that by epressing the barrel head and the center of the closure member, all of the locking elements are below the top level of the container so that they are protected from injury when the container is stood upon its top and at the same time a tight packing seal is always obmember and the locking ring also tends to eliminate trouble of having the two members rust together. Further with only two small areas of contact, it is easier to open and close the device even if no rusting takes place as the frictioizal areas are reduced to a minimum.

Other modes of applying the principle of myinvention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, pro vided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed. T i I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. In a-closure for containers, the combination with a container head having a central opening with an inturned flange; a flat depressed portion adjacent such opening; a gasket mounted on said flat depressed portion; a locking ring having a series of spaced lugs mounted on said head and having the lugs overlying-said flat depressed portion; a closure member having a depressed central portionadapted to snugly fit within said inturned flange; and a flat ring portion adapted to overlie the depressed portion of said head and rest on said gasket to secure the same in said depressed portion; said ring portion being provided with radially extending spaced lugs adapted to fit between the lugs on said locking ring and to be rotill tated thereunder to lock said closure member tightly on said barrel head and gasket.

2. In a closure for containers, the combination with a container head having a .central opening with an inturned flange; a flat depressed portion adjacent such opening; a gasket mounted on said flat depressed portion; a locking ring having a series of spaced lugs mounted on said head and having the lugs overlying said flat depressed portion; a closure member having a depressed central portion adapted to snugly fit within said inturned flange; and a flat ring portion adapted to overlie the depressed portion of said head and rest on said gasket to secure the same in said depressed portion; said ring portion being provided with radially extending spaced lugs adapted to fit between the lugs on said locking ring,

said lugs on said locking ring having two ribs formed therein and acting as cam members to force said closure member tight on to said barrel head and gasket and intosaid inturned flange upon partial-rotation of said member to move the-closure member lugs under said locking ring lugs,

3. In a closure for containers, the combination with a container head having a central opening with an inturned flange; a flat depressed portion adjacent such opening; a gasket mounted on said flat depressed portion, a locking ring having a series of spaced lugs mounted on said head and having the lugs overlying said flat depressed portion; a

' closure member having a depressed central portion adapted to snugly fit within said in turned flange; and a flat ring portion adapted to overlie the depressed portion of said head and rest on said gasket to secure the same in said depressed portion; said ring portion of said closure member being provided with radially extending spaced lugs adapted to fit between the lugs on said lock ing ring, said lugs on said locking ring havmg two ribs formed therein and acting'as 0am members to force said closure memher tight on to said barrel head and gasket and into said inturned flange upon partial rotation of said member to move the closure member lugs under said lockng ring "lugs,

said second or last rib being deeper than said first rib to increase the pressure with the engagement of the closure lug under said second rib.

4. In a closure for containers, the combination of a container head having a flat annular portion; a shoulder and a second flat ring; a second shoulder and a third flat ring with a central opening having inwardly extending flange; a- ;packing washer adapted to be mounted on said inner flat portion a'djacent said opening; a locking ring mounted concentrically on said outer flat portion and provided with locking lugs extending inwardly over said intermediate flat portion; and a closure member consisting of a provided with a series of spaced lugs adapted to pass between said locking ring lugs and to be rotated thereunder to lock said closure member tightly in place.

5. In a closure for containers, the combination of a container head having a flat annular portion; a shoulder and a second flat ring; a second shoulder and a third flat ring with a central opening having an inwardly extending flange; a packing washer adapted to be mounted on said inner flat portion adj acent said opening; a locking ring mounted concentrically on said outer flat portion and provided with locking lugs extending inwardly over said intermediate flat portion; and a closure member consisting of a disk having a depressed central portion adapted to fit within said inturned flange and having its rim adapted to rest on said packing washer, said closure member being provided with a series of spaced lugs adapted to pass between said locking ring lugs and to be rotated thereunder to lock said closure member tightly in place, said lugs on said locking ringbeing providedwith two ribs on the under side adapted to act as cam members to engage with said lugs on said closure member to force said latter member down tightly onto said packing member to seal the container.

6. In a closure for containers, the combination of a container head having a fiat annular portion; a shoulder and a second flat ring; a second shoulder and a third flat ring with a central opening having an inwardly extending flange; a packing washer adapted to be mounted on said inner fiat portion adjacent said opening; a locking, ring mounted concentrically on said outer flat portion and provided with locking lugs extending inwardly over said intermediate flat portion; and a closure member consisting of a disk having a depressed central portion adapted to fit within said inturned flange and having its rim adapted to rest on said packingwasher, said closure member being provided with a series of spaced lugs adapted to pass between said locking ring lugs and to be rotated thereunder to lock said closure member tightly in place, said lugs on said locking ring being provided with two ribs on the under side adapted to act as cam members to engage with said lugs on said closure member to force said latter member down tightly onto said packing member to seal the container, the second of each pair of ribs being deeper than the first to obtain a tightening action by rotation of said closure member. 7

7. In a closure for containers, the combination of a container head having a flat annular portion; a shoulder and a second flat ring; a second shoulder and a third flat ring with a central openiang having an inand having its rim adapted to rest on said packing washer, said closure member being provided with a series of spaced lugs adapted to pass between said lockingring lugs and to be rotated thereunder to lock said closure member tightly in place, said lugs on said locking rin being provided with two ribs on the un er side adapted to act as cam members to engage with said lugs on said closure member to force said latter member down tightly onto said packing member to seal the container, the second of each pair of ribs being deeper than the first to obtain a tightening action by rotation of said closure member, said locking ring lugs having a central rib formed upwardly to stiffen said lugs and prevent bending thereof during locking movement.

8. In a closure for containers, the combi- I nation of a container head having a flat annular portion; a shoulder and a second fiat ring; asecond shoulder and a third flat ring with a central opening having an inwardly extending flange; a packing washer adapted to be mounted on said inner flat portion adj acent said opening; a locking ring mounted concentrically on said outer flat portion and provided with locking lu s extending inwardly over said intermediate flat portion; and a closure member consistin of a disk having a depressed central portion adapted to fit within said inturned flange and having its rim adapted to ,rest on said packing washer, said closure member being provided with a series of spaced lugs adapted to pass between said locking ring lugs and to be rotated thereunder to lock said closure member tightly in place, said lugs on said lock-' ing ring hem provided with two ribs on the under side a apted to act as cam members to engage with said lugs on said closure member to force said latter member down tightly onto said packing member to seal the container, the second of each pair of ribs being deeper than the first to obtain a tightening action by rotation of said closure member, one of said lugs on said closure member being provided with a rib on its'upper surface, adapted in the closed position of the device to lie between said two ribs on its engaging locking rinilllpg to prevent accidental rotation and unloc g of said closure member.-

Signed by me this 13th day of March, 1925.

. HARTLEY ELLIS. 

